Sewefontein – 1878

Tags

environment, farm accommodation, Flowers, garden, Namaqualand, Namaqualand Flowers, nature, photography, plants, Sewefontein, South African endemic plant, swimming pools, water fountains

Sewefontein (1878) is a tranquil Old World farm accommodation located in the heart of Namaqualand.

The farm offers seven fresh water fountains, natural swimming pools in the river, hiking trails, waterfall and canyon, Rock Art, wild flowers, rich animal and bird life.
http://www.nieuwoudtville.com/sewefontein/

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Butternut grown from scraps

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butternut, Cape Porcupine, earthworms, Flowers, food, home grown, organic, plants, pollination, Red Wriggler, vegetable garden, Vegetables from scraps

A few months ago I conditioned my Grow Zone with lashings of Worm Compost. As usual I had the normal tomato and Paw Paw seeds spout, which I weeded out, as I had enough already. These sprouts may also be transplanted into more suitable locations, to grow into mature plants. I had this butternut which sprouted and I moved it.It soon started growing lushly. I started to notice that all the female flowers just dropped off. So I when I noticed a female flower open, I would pollinate it from a male flower by hand. I managed to successfully pollinate 2 flowers.  This is the result. This butternut weighs in 1,1 kg. I have harvested it a little early because  Our resident Cape Porcupine (Mrs Schnoof) is finding it very hard to resist. She is gnawing away at my grow zone.

Chart Farm

Tags

Cape Town Tourism, Farm, Flowers, garden, Grape, lemons, plants, Roses

The entrance Roses

Pretty Pink on the fence

The Hydrangeas

The vegetable garden

The view up to the roses from the restaurant

Rose plants for sale

Pick your own Roses

Roses for sale

Chart Farm is a wonderful place to visit for breakfast, teas and lunches.

Purchased in 1934, the farm has been in the Garlick family since.

Chart Farm was originally 20 hectares (50 acres), but was reduced to 18 hectares when the current M3 highway was built. The farm currently has approximately 12 hectares of arable land.

The farm produces the following:

• Roses (for pick your own)
• Compost & mulch
• Table grapes
• Chestnuts
• Lemons
• Wine Grapes

Kitty Hawk

Tags

Africa, Cape Town, Epiphyllum, Flowers, garden, green cathedral, Kitty Hawk, orchid cactus, South Africa, Stanford, succulent, The Green Cathedral, Western Cape

Kitty Hawk

I purchased this Orchid Cactus Kitty Hawk from The Green Cathedral some years ago. She has rewarded me every year with a stunning display.

The name ‘Green Cathedral of South Africa’ is derived from a media publication and, until August 1 2011, used as an alias for ‘Soekershof; Private Mazes & Botanical Gardens in South Africa’; located in the tranquil Klaas Voogds area near the small town of Robertson. Since August 2011 Green Cathedral of South Africa resides in Stanford, Western Cape as does a precious collection of plants.

I dedicated this post to Herman Van Bron who is the custodian of the Green Cathedral.

Kitty Hawk

RELATED ARTICLES :

Orchid Cactus http://aristonorganic.com/2013/11/18/orchid-cactus/

Start an Elemental Organic Veggie garden – Workshop in Stanford

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companion planting, compost, garden, Kitchen garden, Local Food Heroes, plant, soil preparation, Vegetable, vegetable garden, workshop

I have been asked by “Your Local Food Heroes”  to present a  vegetable and herb workshop  in Stanford on 16  November.

The workshop will be intensely practical and fun, teaching you how to start and grow your own vegetable garden covering soil preparation, composting, planning your garden, companion planting, seeds and seedlings.

Photo courtesy of Cath Croxton

Booking is essential as space is limited. Cath Croxton from Your Local Food Heroes can be emailed at croxton@gmail.com for details and bookings

Come along and learn how to put fresh, pesticide free food on your table all year round.

 

Related articles

• Install a vegetable garden (grassconsumeraction.wordpress.com)

A Jacuzzi full of worms

Tags

Agriculture, animals, Cape Porcupine, compost, gardening, green tips, Jacuzzi, Red Wrigglers, Vermi-T, Vermicompost, worm

Two years ago my neighbour gave me her Jacuzzi.  Which  was placed in a nice shaded area to one side of my garden and turned into a worm farm.

The worm farm is covered over with black builder’s plastic. The plank is placed across it to deter the Cape Porcupine from raiding the farm.

A very tasty meal for the worms. People in the neighborhood bring their kitchen waste to re-cycle in the worm farm.

The worms are thriving and multiplying rapidly.

Bucket full of Vermi-T waiting to be harvested.

Related articles :

Worm farms/bins,earthworms

Order Worm compost and Vermi- T